I have owned more gear than most music stores, including a Micromoog, Multimoog, 2 Minimoog Model D's, 3 Prophet-5's...etc,etc. I now have a Minimoog Voyager Anniversary Edition in Cherry wood... This instrument totally rocks, and I do not find it in any way sonically inferior to the old model D. It does all the the old ones did, and much more...the stereo output is extremely cool, and can make it sound like 2 Mini's are playing at once simultaneously out different sides of the pan...velocity response is also a very welcome addition to the feature list....and, it's much more stable. This synthesizer I believe is the best constructed synthesizer in the world...very high grade pots, big beefy knobs, the nicest key feel of just about any synth (other than the Virus Keyboard series)...and it is housed in the most beautiful and stunning hardwood cabinet of any keyboard ever made...definitely reflective of Dr. Bob's love of cabinetry and fine woods. I will never part with this piece of gear...a fine tribute to this late genius of a man (RIP, Dr. Bob...we'll miss you>).

Rating: 5 out of 5
posted Wednesday-Aug-24-2005 at 19:58

Al the AstroSurfer
a part-time user
from Sometimes Earth
writes:

There is one crucial thing that has only recently come to my attention that every Voyager owner or prospective owner should know.

Before I was making most of my patches in dual filter low pass mode. Some of my patches, when using modulation, or the touch pad (which amounts to the same thing) were sounding not to my liking. I then switched to the low pass/high pass series mode (a simple flick of a switch!) and it was like a REVELATION! It turns out that the low pass mode when performing heavy modulations and affects, due to the dual filters, can cause phase cancellation and such, thinning out the sound. (I tried my all discrete MOTM as a control and the same thing happened. NOW, these patches are like those I had dreamed of; rich squealy resonant tones, sizzly sparkling highs in a backdrop of resounding mids and lows. Just thought you should know.

Rating: 5 out of 5
posted Monday-Apr-11-2005 at 00:16

James C.Socorro
a part-time user
from New Westminster B.C. Canada
writes:

I feel I needed to clarify some things and re-adjust my score to full marks, for if ever a synth deserved it is this one.

Lately there has been a few who express disatisfaction with the fact that the Voyager's oscillators are not fully discrete. I too began to have a complex about this and got into the habit of plugging my Technosaurus into the filter in order for it to sound like an Omega 8 or some other imagined Holy Grail of Synthesizers. Subsequent listening has shown this to be folly. It does not improve upon the delicate yet resounding sonority that is unmatched by any other synth, (including the modulars), except the original Mini itself. And the Mini is not better, but brasher, and buzzier, attributes that make it more difficult to integrate into a modern mix. Furthermore, discrete is not necessarily better, and in fact most of the original Minis used Integrated Chips, and they are considered fatter than the earlier discrete Minis.

Finally, most criticms of the Voyager seem to be inconsistent, and fall into the trap of comparing it to the MiniMoog, a synth that differs from one to another. I hear some say it is better than the Mini in the high end, and inferior in the low, and others vice versa. Moog Music is partly responsible for this in that they marketed as a Mini for the 21st Century. It has the same unique sonority, but is its own instrument.

- One essential point does need clarification: the dual filters can smear the sound, and this might cause some to consider it 'weak' and 'thin'. In order to get the more well defined 'old Mini' sound, use the left channel only, and put a dummy plug in the right. Most owners know this and do not complain of 'unmusical' sounds.

But enough of talk. Hear for yourself; check out the demo below. The leads are made with the Voyager (DRY! i.e. no effects).

http://analoguediehard.home.att.net/

Rating: 5 out of 5
posted Sunday-Apr-10-2005 at 00:00

James C.Socorro
a part-time user
from New Westminster B.C. Canada
writes:

The comments below require some qualification.

The original Mini had a delicate tone that did not always lend itself well to sound effects, but made it uniquely sonorous as a lead instrument. The Voyager captures that sonority, while being smoother and less brash and buzzy. Therefore it could be considered superior to the original in certain contexts, however in others, such as live Rock influenced music the cutting brashness of the Mini might be preferable. In short, both the Mini and the Voyager were not ideal effects instruments, and both are superb lead instruments.

I agree, that the older minis are more sonically dense than the Voyager, and this at times is disapointing, however the very qualities that make it less than satisfying in one context, makes it more in another. The oscillators are smoother, the resonance creamier, and for leads this makes it superior in many situations and certainly MUSICAL. Users remark that it sits much better in a mix for instance. For greater harmonic density, one can add another sound source (preferably discrete) and run it through the filter. That, and the dual filters with switchable poles (Way Cool!),FM, patch memory, and the fact that EVERY Voyager knob sends CV/Gate as well midi signals (making it the ULTIMATE controler on the planet), makes it a keeper.

Rating: 4 out of 5
posted Tuesday-Mar-22-2005 at 15:50

William
a part-time user
from USA
writes:

Well, it looks beautiful. It has the best feeling keyboard ever made. Some people complain that the MIDI is glitchy, but mine works perfectly. Plays in tune fine. However, I think the oscillators sound extremely thin and weak. And the filter isn't that good either. My Moog Source sounds MUCH fatter and much more musically pleasing to the ear. The Voyager is capable of a wide range of sounds and there are some good leads and crazy FM and sync sounds, but overall the sound is just irritating. If only the oscillators and filters were as good as at least the Source then it would be the ultimate mono synth. I love the feel of the keyboard though, but someday I'll probably replace it with a better more musically sounding mono-synth.